Unit guiding and latching device



July 18, 1944.

E. A. GUBISCH 2,354,115

UNIT GUIDING AND LATCHING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l v 43 3 29 56 4 rm 3 N Q 22 [E] E (a: l I e a l 1 67 r 7 M 25 w 46 I I 45 49 46 4g 45 2| 25 I FIG. 2 INVENTOR ERWIN A. GUBISCH ATT NEY y 1944' E. A. GUBISCH UNIT GUIDING AND LATCHING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1945 2 Sheets$heet 2 Patented July 18, 1944 UNIT GUIDING AND LATCHING DEVICE Erwin A. Gubisch, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application January 25, 1943, Serial No. 473,509

6 Claims. (01. 178-80) This invention pertains to translating apparatus and more particularly to mechanisms for facilitating the coupling of component parts involved in such translation.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide facilities for rendering a signal determining device, which is operable according to one code system, readily coupleable with a translating device operable according to another code system.

Another object of the invention is to provide aligning instrumentalities for effecting the quick and ready alignment of the signal determining and translating devices during couplement thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a locking device for securing the signal determining device to the translating device and guides for positioning it with respect to its support.

Keyboard devices, Wheatstone perforators, as exemplified by U. S. Patent No. 1,085,985, are employed to perforate tape in accordance with a two-unit code for controlling the telegraphic transmission of Morse code signals. It has been found desirable to operate such a keyboard device automatically under the control of a tape perforated according to the Baudot code (fiveunit code) and to translate the Baudot code into Morse code. To achieve the objects of the present invention, means is provided to effect the operative association of the keyboard perforator device with a tape controlled translating device by providing facilities for removably mounting said perforator device upon a controlling structure therefor.

Specifically, since the perforator device shown in the aforesaid patent is employed in preparing tape for use with a Wheatstone transmitter it will hereinafter be referred to as a Wheatstone perforator.

In order that the Wheatstone perforator may be used as a separate unit and in its customary and usual manner, it is removably mounted on the translating structure so that it may be readily removed or attached. And, since the linkage for connecting the translating device with the key levers on the perforator necessarily requires an element or connecting link for each key lever, the perforator unit must be aligned accurately when it is attached to the translator.

These purposes of the invention are carried out by providing the supporting structure upon which the perforator is mounted with metal guide brackets attached to the four comers thereof which are flared to increase the mounting area. ill sition by a pair of alternately operable key levers,

The flared portions of these guides coact with the legs of the perforator to bring it into a position with respect to its support so that the legs of th perforator, or the footings thereof, engage a plurality of cam plates also located at the four corners of the support and slides thereunder when forward motion is imparted to the perfora: tor. As the perforator is moved forward in its mounting, the footings of the front legs pass over two spring actuated latching pawls which are forced upwardly and which engage .the rear face of the front footings to lock the perforator in place. When the unit is to be released, a lever is depressed which rocks the latching pawls downwardly and out of engagement with the legs of the perforator permitting it to be moved first rearwardly and then lifted upwardly from the translator.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the complete translator unit;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 4;

Fig; 3 is a front sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

With reference to Fig. 1, the apparatus in which the present invention is embodied is therein shown and comprises a base III on which is mounted a motor II, a transmitter I2, a translating device I3, and a Wheatstone perforator H. Briefly, the Wheatstone perforator I 4 comprises a base portion 5, carrying a plurality of key levers 6 and a series of permutation members 1 which control the punching mechanism (not shown) in the manner illustrated in said U. S. Patent No. 1,085,985. In the present embodiment, the perforator according to said patent is modified to incorporate the shift mechanism shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,583,070. Accordingly, a series of code bars 8, one individual to each key lever, is interposed, between the key levers 6 and the permutation members 1. Code bars 8 are pivotally carried on a common fulcrum bar associated with a rockable member 9. As disclosed in Patent No. 1,583,070, the member 9 is actuated to its clockwise or counterclockwise pogears I8. The tape I9, on which is recorded the characters in Baudot code, is sensed by the sensing mechanism of the transmitter l2 which, in accordance with the characters recorded, actuates the selector levers of the selector 2| to position the code bars 22 in such a manner that a selector lever 23 corresponding to the particular characters selected will, through proper linkage hereinafter described, depress a key lever 24 of the Wheatstone perforator 14, which in turn will cause the recording of the selected character on the tape of the Wheatstone perforator in continental Morse code in a manner described in the afore-mentioned U. S. Patent No. 1,085,985. The tape sensing mechanism 20 is of the type disclosed in Krum et a1. Patent No. 2,091,286, and through levers 61, the mechanism 29 operates substantially as set forth in said Krum et al. patent, to control the setting of code bars 22.

In performing the translation operation, power from the shaft I1 is applied through the eccentric 25 to the restoring bail arm 26 which in turn causes the restoring bail 21 to act against the selector levers 23 in opposition to their individual springs 28 mounted as shown. When the eccentric 25 passes its apex in the cycle, the restoring bail is carried downwardly by the action of the springs 28 causing the key lever link 29, attached to its respective selector lever 23, through the pin 3|] and slot 3| arrangement, to move downwardly, which in turn causes the link roller 32 to ride against the surface of the key lever 24 at 33. In accordance with the arrangement of the code bars 22, the depending comb portion 34 of the selector arm 23 is caused to enter the aligned slot in the code bars 22, and under the action of spring 28, key 24 is depressed, and the Wheatstone perforator is thereby actuated.

The clearance 35 in slot 3| of selector lever 23 allows the latter to descend under the pressure of its spring 28 a distance equal to the clearance 35 before the pin 30 of selector link 29 is engaged by the selector lever 23. This permits the depending portion 34 of lever 23 to engage the slot set up by the alignment of code bars 22 and enables the selection to be made accurately before the key lever link 29 and roller 32 act to depress the key 24.

It is apparent that the downward pressure exerted on the restoring bail 21 is equal to the total tension of the plurality of springs 28 one of which is attached to each selector bar. Actually there are forty-five of these bars, and to each is attached a 32 ounce spring. The total load on the restoring bail 21 from this source alone is therefore equal to 90 lbs. This load is added to the power transmitted by the shaft I1 when the eccentric 25 passes the apex of its path and tends to accelerate the movement of the shaft. Converseiy, when the shaft i1 is driving the eccentric toward its apex, just prior thereto, the maximum power load is required. It is seen, therefore, that the power required is not even and ranges from a positive 90 lbs. to a negative 90 lbs.

To compensate for such unequal power distribution an eccentric compensator is employed. The cam 46 is rigidly mounted on the shaft l1 in the vicinity of the eccentric 25. The cam follower lever 41 pivoted at 48 carries the cam lollower roller 49 which is urged into engagement with the cam face by the compensator spring 50. It will be noted from the arrangement of the compensator cam and the eccentric, as shown in Fig. 4, that the cam follower occupies a position with respect to the cam dwell such that as the eccentric approaches its apex the action of the spring 50 will add power to that transmitted by the shaft 11. Immediately after the eccentric passes its point of maximum throw, the dwell of the cam will have reached a position with respect to the shaft 11, such that the action of spring 50 will tend to retard and overcome the combined action of the springs 28 acting on the eccentric 25 through the restoring ball 29.

Inasmuch as a selector lever 23 must be pro vided for each key lever of the Wheatstone perforator, and since these members must be accurately aligned during the installation or coupling of the Wheatstone perforator in the unit, it is necessary that guiding means be provided for the selector levers 23. Accordingly, each of these levers 23 is mounted on a common pivot 39 and each selector lever is carried in an individual guide 31 in the pivot block. A guide bar 33 mounted transversely of the selector levers, carries guide slots corresponding to the guide slots 31, in which the guide projections 39 of the selector levers 23 operate. In this manner, each selector lever is accurately held in alignment for the purpose of receiving the link pin 30 of the key lever link 29 as the perforator unit is moved forwardly as will presently appear.

The key lever link 29 is similarly held in alignment with respect to the selector lever 23 by a guide bracket 40 which is rigidly attached to the casting 4| by the screws 42. Each individual key lever link 29 is carried in its respective slot in the bracket 40 and is held securely therein by the guide bracket plates 43, secured to the bracket 40 by screws 44.

In order that the Wheatstone perforator 14 may be readily mounted on its support and the respective links 29 moved into accurate alignment with corresponding selector levers 23, the guiding and latching device which forms the subject matter of the present invention is provided.

The metal uprights 5| having the upper portions thereof flared to offer camengagements to the footings of the perforator legs are attached to the support as shown in Fig. 1.

In mounting the perforator on its base, it is first placed on the guide brackets 5| which cause it to occupy an aligned position shown by the dotted line in Fig. 4. When in this position, the unit is initially aligned so that the front leg footings 52 and the rear leg footings 53 occupy such a position with respect to their respective front and rear cam plates 54 and 55 that when the unit is moved forward they will assume a position under a portion of the said cam plates 54 and 55 as shown at 56 in Figs. 1 and 4. Inasmuch as the cam plates 54 and 55 are accurately mounted and are machined to engage the footings of the legs in a tight tongue and grooved fashion, the instrument is held rigidly on its support and is not subject to vertical movement.

The perforator i4 is latched in the forward position as indicated at 55 in the following manner: When the Wheatstone perforator is moved forward the front leg footings 52 pass over and depress the latching pawls 51 which are mounted on the rocker shaft 58. Under the tension of their individual springs 59, the latching pawls 51 are normally urged upwardly, and as the front footings 52 pass over them and are moved forwardly against the stop portion 60 of the casting, these latching pawls are raised against the face of the footing in such a manner that the latch notch 6| thereof engages the same and latches the unit in the forward position.

To provide for the release of the perforator from its support, a release lever 52 having a finger tab 63 is rigidly secured to the rocker shaft 58 at 64. The rocker shaft is journaled in the bearings 65 and the latching pawls 51 are secured thereto by the set screws 66. The depres-' sion of the release lever 62 causes the rocker arm 58 to turn in the bearings 65 and depress the latching pawls 51 to a point below the surface of the casting so that the latching shoulder 6| thereof will release the rear faces of the front footings 52 permitting the unit to be pushed first rearwardly, and then lifted upwardly for removal.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described and its essential features pointed out, it is understood that various changes and alterations may be made to the device and its functions varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a tape perforator having footed legs, a translatin device serving as a support therefor, a guiding and latching device for correctly positioning and securing said tape perforator on and with respect to said translating device comprising a series of flared upright guiding members mounted on said translating device to guide said tape perforator into operative relation with said translating device, channel members carried on said translating device to secure and guide said footed legs, a latch for engaging certain of said footed legs under said channel members, and-means for releasing said latch whereby said tape perforator may be removed and thus permit access to said translating device.

2. In a code translating device, an interconnecting mechanism comprisin a plurality of character key levers, a plurality of connecting links having a plurality of link pins connected thereto, a plurality of selector levers having bifurcated end pieces, providing slots for engagement with said link pins, guiding means for aligning said lever links and said selector levers comprising a series of flared'guidingmembers and a plurality of channel members whereby said connecting links and said selector levers may be accurately united, and means for giving motion to said selector levers to transmit motion to said key levers.

3. In combination, a signal determining means, a series of key actuated devices for operating said means, coupling instrumentalities associated with said devices, a translating mechanism comprising a selecting device, a series of selectable members corresponding to said series of devices, said members having bifurcated end pieces, means for facilitating the couplement of said instrumentalities and said end pieces, and means for automatically locking said signal determining means and said translating mechanism in coupled position.

4. In combination, a signal determining means, a series of key actuated devices for operating said means, coupling instrumentalities associated with said said devices, a translating mechanism comprising a tape sensing device, a selecting device controlled by said tape sensing device, a series of selectable members corresponding to said series of devices, said members having bifurcated ends conformed for ready reception of said instrumentalities, means for facilitating the couplement of said instrumentalities and said members, and means for automatically locking said signal determining means and said translating mechanism in coupled relation.

5. In combination, a tape perforator having footed legs, a translating device serving as a support therefor, a guiding and latching device for correctly positioning and securing said tape perforator on and with respect to said translating device comprising a series of flared upright guiding members mounted on said translating device to guide said tape perforator into operative relation with said translating device, channel members carried on said translating device to secure and guide said footed legs, a spring, a latch normally urged to latching position by said spring but displaceable by the footed legs to allow said tape perforator to be correctly positioned on said translating device, said spring thereafter urging said latch back into latching position, and means to move said latch against the tension of said spring whereby said tape perforator is released and may be removed from said translating device.

6. In combination, a tape perforator having footed legs, a translating device serving as a support therefor, a guiding and latching device for correctly positioning and securing said tape perforator on and with respect to said translating device comprising a series of flared upright guiding members mounted on said translating device to guide said tape perforator into operative relation with said translating device, channel members carried on said translating device to secure and guide said footed legs, a pivotally mounted bar, a pair of latches secured to said bar, a spring associated with each of said latches normally urging said latches to latching position, said latches being displaceable by the footed legs to allow said tape perforator to be correctly positioned on said translating device, said springs thereafter urging said latches back into latching position, and means associated with said bar to pivot said bar whereby said latches are moved against the tension of said springsand said tape perforator is released and may be removed from said translating device.

ERWIN A. GUBISCH. 

